A job interview is a process of questioning and answering to find out if a candidate is fit for the position. It’s not just about the questions and answers. There are many other factors that go into it, including the way you dress, how you introduce yourself, and your body language. The interviewer will be evaluating your personality and skills in order to figure out if you’re a good fit for their company.
The purpose of an interview is to see if the person has the skills required for the position they’re applying for. It’s also an opportunity to see what kind of personality they have when they’re in an uncomfortable situation like this one.
There are plenty of things we should be doing in a job interview, which we touch on in detail in our articles 13 Top Job Interview Tips and The Ultimate Guide on How to Prepare for a Job Interview, but today we will focus on things not to do after a job interview.
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Hanging around
A job interview is one of the most important moments in your life. It can make or break your chances of getting a job offer. It is important to leave the area immediately after a job interview because you want to leave a good impression on the interviewer and show them that you are professional and respectful.
It might sound like an obvious thing, but the moment the interview has ended, it’s time for you to go home. If you feel like socializing with your interviewer, the nice receptionist or maybe even a friend you know who works there, do not wait too long before leaving their office. Respect that those people have other responsibilities to take care and you are no longer required to be there. Some people may insist you leave immediately so that you do not have any chance to interact with the next person scheduled for a job interview for the same position.
Leaving immediately extends beyond just leaving their building or site. Don’t be tempted into stepping into the cafe or bar next door. Bumping into your interviewers on a more social level might sound like a good thing, but there is always the risk of saying or doing something that could make them change their opinion of you. Leave the very best version of you in the interview room and leave them with that lasting impression of you.
Losing your professionalism before you leave
It is important to remain professional until you leave the building in your job interview. This will help you make a good first impression and leave a lasting impression. You should be polite and respectful to everyone you meet during the interview process.
You should not forget that your reputation is on the line as well. You want to be seen as someone who is professional, polite, and respectful. This will help you get a job offer more easily and have a better reputation in the workplace.
One of the things that hiring managers look out for is how you interact with their other colleagues, such as the receptionist you first meet upon entering the building. You not only want to be polite and professional towards them when you enter but as you leave as well. It is not unknown for hiring managers to ask the team members you interacted with for their first impressions of you. Don’t give them a reason to say anything negative.
Driving away irresponsibly
If you arrived on public transport or by bicycle then this section isn’t for you. But if you drove your own car there and used the company’s car park, be sure to leave respectfully and unnoticed.
You don’t want to draw unneeded attention to you by playing loud music out of your car, or by doing something like ignoring a one-way system or reversing into the company owners car!
The hardest part of your day is undoubtedly done with, but don’t relax just yet. Make sure you leave them respectfully and get yourself home safe and well.
Not sending in any requested documents
The company you interview with might request a copy of documents that you don’t currently have with you. These could be things such as proof of qualifications and diplomas, a copy of your passport or proving your right to work in that particular country.
It is advisable to do this at the earliest possible opportunity. Do not keep the company waiting. Providing the requested documents will help smooth the employment process for you and show you to be someone who can follow through with a request. The last thing you want is to have the employer chase you for them. Some might not even bother doing that and instantly remove you from the selection process.
It is not a good idea to add staff members from the company you have just had a job interview with on social media. It is not respectful and it can be seen as unprofessional. It is better to wait until you are offered the job before you start communicating with them on social media.
If you have any further communications that you would like to make with the business then it should be done through the official channels, whether that be a direct email to the hiring manager you dealt with when setting up the interview, or through the recruitment agency that you are working with.
It is not professional to discuss or mention your recent job interview and the company you just interviewed with on social media. It is important to maintain professionalism in order to get a second interview or job offer.
Writing negative comments online that can be found publicly is a sure way to get rejected for the job. Even if you think your profiles are set to private, you could have a friend or connection who knows someone at the business.
Even if you feel the job interview you had did not go the best, refrain from commenting on social media. Even if they reject you, posting negative comments afterwards could be found by other potential employers you apply to and could damage your credibility instantly.
Getting too excited
It is natural to feel excited after a job interview. You might have felt like you nailed it and that the interviewer loved you. However, it is important to not get too excited and make assumptions about the outcome of the interview.
The interviewer might have been impressed with your skills, but they might also be impressed with every other person they interview. They might also be looking for someone who has more experience in a certain field or has a different skill set. Unfortunately, we can’t read the minds of our interviewers so it is best not to make any assumptions until we hear back from the company.
Getting excited too soon can make our minds start to produce hundreds of thoughts about the new opportunities that lay in our path, what you can do with the newfound freedom or additional money and where you see yourself in 5 years after joining this business. You might even start to think about how you plan on leaving your existing employer.
Receiving a rejection phone call or email after processing all these thoughts can be a real blow to our ego and potentially disrupt the progress of our job hunt. Having confidence is great, but try to keep your excitement under wraps until you know more.
Failing to reflect on the job interview just had
Reflecting on the job interview is a great way to make sure that you are doing everything in your power to get a job. Reflecting on what went well and what did not go well in the interview will help you improve for future interviews by helping you understand your strengths, weaknesses and areas you need to improve.
Some of the things you should reflect on are your performance, how prepared you were, how professional you were, and if there are any skills that need improvement.
Check out our article 7 Things to do Immediately After a Job Interview to learn more about how to properly reflect after your job interview.
